Outside of the 'timeline' and the escalation what's different about the president's Afghan strategy

[bigtree]

. . . from that of the last administration's? What's significantly different? Bush funded Pakistan's Musharraf to the hilt, and aid and development has been occurring for years behind the line of our forces' defenses. What's significantly different in this approach announced tonight, other than a doubling down on the existing occupation?

(Did you notice that the president doesn't seem to want to admit that we're occupying Afghanistan right now?)

[tabatha]

1. This nails it:

I think his message was very clear - to the military. They wanted more - they got it - faster than they asked for. He has now placed the full burden of victory or defeat at the hands of McChrystal and Petraeus, for he has set a timeline within his term of deciding their fates regarding success or failure - something that is rarely done in presidential politics. Bravo!

As for the perpetual war complex - he's now given them their termination papers and boy do they not like it! Look at our conservative war hawks. Scowling. Look at the blowhard "former military commanders" on TV - boy they don't like it! Deadlines! Oooh - scary - send wrong message. Even Cheney thinks it's "weakness".
Legacy is at stake! Divert attention! And the media - Politico in particular - follows like the good microphone Zombies they are!

Well, I get it. And the President gets it. He's outta there, but he's going for the Hail Mary. If the military doesn't deliver, he's got the political cover to say "game over".


http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/what-one-reader-heard.html

It is too bad that kids and civilians have to be killed to fix the Cheney/Bush mistake.

[bigtree]

3. it does sound terribly political

. . . for such an expense of lives, limbs, and livelihoods.

All of these political schemes are usually countered and checked, making a muddle of the expected results. He's essentially given the green light to a devastating military machine. I don't think he'll be able to steer it like he imagines or has represented in his address.

[subsuelo]

2. what's different is who the president happens to be.

The pipeline will be protected regardless of who is in office.

[bigtree]

4. the MIC abides